Category Archives: Writing
Where’s the Content?
Feeling wordy I sat to blurt it,
just anything that came
singing to me.
I made to type
and it hit hard in my face
there were no sensible words
left in the Guff.
© 2010 Shari Lynne Smothers
Really, it’s not that bad. Rather unexpectedly, I’m in New Orleans until Thursday. My mom decided she wanted to be here for the playoff [...]
Facing November Week Four
Monday morning I’m
three poems in arrears and some
thousands words behind.
©2009 Shari Lynne Smothers
This is a short Haiku to convey my rising anxiety about the projects I’ve taken on.
I can deal with being three poems behind–on a regular day. But, because I’ve taken on NaNoWriMo and I’m very far behind, my anxiety is reaching a feverish [...]
Participation is a Growth Opportunity
National Poetry Month, 2008, 2009 Unofficial
Poem a Day Chapbook Challenge, November 2009 Official
National Novel Writing Month, 2009 Official
Attractions to Group Projects
Officially and unofficially, I’ve participated in these and other writing projects. They can be really intense. And I was thinking about why I elect to participate. It’s rarely just because I get bored.
Challenge
Pushing myself beyond [...]
Benefits of Brainstorming
NaNoWriMo 2009 Update
Some people say that they don’t write with an outline. I get that. It was great fun letting my characters meet new characters, and watching them evolve. However, I’m learning what I can and cannot do regarding leaving them their own devices.
In short order I’ve managed to get a good bit behind in [...]
Listen to The Rhythm
Poets know that poems are songs, but few of us realize that novels are too.
~ from Walter Mosely’s book, This Year You Write Your Novel
Although I don’t hear it quite clearly, I’m definitely going with the flow of something. There are rhythms to the actions of the characters. Even as I try to steer them, [...]
NaNoWriMo: Day 3
It’s three days into the writing projects and I’ve learned some useful stuff that will help me to get through. Being flexible is helpful because the effort is so new to me. Tell me what you think.
The 6 characters I met on the first day, must have been waiting in the wings, because they were [...]
NaNoWriMo: My First Day
This year I’ve gotten a lot more involved with the activities surrounding NaNoWriMo, and it’s helpful. The opportunities to compete and commiserate are encouraging. It’s a solitary job that doesn’t feel like I’m doing it alone.
I’m excited about my first day’s progress! Having written 3,001 words is a good sign. And although the writing still [...]
